Ice tray



Oct. 21, 1952 ICE TRAY Filed Oct. 19, 1948 INVENTOR. J i/r Faeifiel flTTJFiIj receptacles supported therein. I Fig. 6 is a perspective'view of one of the'recep tacles 'shownin Figx'. W

Patented Oct. 21-, I 1952 Roethel Engineering Corporation, Mich., a corporationof Michigan Detroit,

Application October; 19, 1948, Serial 'No."55,419

This invention relatesto liquid freezing meet tacles and particularly; although not exclusively, to ice trays of the kind having a plurality of in dependent or individual molds or receptacles use- I'ulin refrigerators for quick freezing purposes.

An object of the invention is to provide an ice tray or other, liquid freezing device having a metal blank and having improved-means for positioning individuatfreezing receptacles therein and restraining them against displacement.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an ice tray embodying a tray'frame and individual freezing receptacles, the bottom of the frame being ribbed to'fo'rm spaces for thereception of receptacles and to assist in'jrestraining displacement thereof Within the tray iframefl Another object of the invention isto provide a tray frame for receiving individual freezing receptacles which will "furnish increased contact area forthe' receptacles thereby accelerating the freezingof the liquid fc'cn'tents thereof,'and which also maybe 'manufactured' in improved manner 'so as tolhave" therequisite strength and rigidity toresis't bending'and twisting strains andthereby prolonging the useful life ofthe tray. Other object'siofgthis invention willappear in 1 the following, description and appended claims, reference being hadto the" accompanying drawingsforming a part'of this specification wherein *likereference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. l is a perspective view ofa tray frame carryinga'number of individual liquid freezing rece'ptacles or molds constructed in accordance with "one embodiment'of the present invention.

Fi'gLZis a section taken substantially through lines 2-2 of Fig. llooking in the direction of the arrows. I I

a Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken substantially through lines'3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the directionofthearrow's. c

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of-a tray frame constructed in accordance with'an'other embodiment of the present invention-5' I Fig. 5 is a fragmentary-perspective view-of the tray frame shown in' Fig. 4 with a pluralityof 7 Claims. ((31. 62-4085) Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional'viewtaken substantially through lines'1l of Fig, 5 looking in the direction of thearrows. -Fig. 8' is a view generally similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the receptacles positioned within the tray frame in a different manner.

This application is a continuation in part of my forfeited application Serial No. 624,392, filed October 25, 1945.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology-orterminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs; 1 to 3 inclusive the tray frame 9 for receiving the individual freezing receptacles is formed from a single sheet or blank of material, such as sheet aluminum or steel. The sheet is stamped or drawn by means of suitable dies in a press toprovide a generally rectangular'tray frame comprising two parallel longitudinal side walls It and transverse-rear and front end walls.

il and l2. Thefrontupright wall I2 of the tray terminates in a handle member I3 pressed into shape so as to enable it to be readily grasped for the purpose of withdrawing the tray from the refrigerator freezing compartment or evaporator unit. The side and end walls I0, Hand I2 are integral withone another and extend continuously around the four sides of the tray, and the walls In and II terminate along their upper edges in a rolled rim l4 merging into the handle 13. The metal around the edge of the rim is flanged down a suitable distance to provide a depending apron flange Ma; y

The tray frame is formed with a bottom [5 which is drawn in the'press operation to provide upstanding intersecting ribs'or rid projections l6 and H. In the present embodiment the rib It extends the full length of the tray centrally between the side walls 10 and merges integrally into the end walls H and I2. The ribs I! extend transversely at right angles to the central rib or partition member I 6 and form spaced partition members for the reception therebetween of the freezing receptacles. These transverse ribs or partition members I] preferably have the same height as the longitudinal partition member l6 and merge integrallythereinto. In the present embodiment the partition or grid members t6 and i1 extend only partway in the height of the side and end walls of the tray frame, terminating at their upper edges well below the rim [4 of the tray. Intermediate each pair of transverse rib memhers I! the central rib member i6 is embossed at opposite sides thereof to form inwardly projecting,keying'projections or lugs 18 which, if desired, may b e' of wedge shape construction, winding out from their upper ends toward the bottom 15 of the tray frame, with the lower ends of the lugs pressed from the metal in the tray bottom. The side walls In of the tray frameare also pressed or embossed at points opposite V I the lugs l8 to provide generally similar-inwardly extending keying projections or lugs i811.

Thus, it will be seen from the foregoing construction that the tray frame is adaptedto be formed by press operations from a single sheet or blank of metal with '?the central double wall partition memberlfiandthe transverse double wall partition members 11 dividing the .tray frame into individual receptacle receiving spaces and with the bottom 15 of the frame formed-in teg-rallywith the partitionmembersas .wellwas the side and end walls of the frame. Ifhe bottom t5 enables the tray to he slid easily into :and out of the freezing unit of therefrigerator While at the same time providing with the-walls of the trayand the .wallstof -the:partition memhers large areas of contact. for. the freezing creceptacles, thereby accelerating the freezing of the liquid contents of the receptacles.

For freezing purposes the trayframe .of i the present embodiment is designed to receive twelve receptacles, cups 0r molds 19 .arranged two rows at opposite sides of the. grid .or .partition member It. -It will be understood thatthe. tray frame may be constructedto receivea lesser, or

larger number of cum or molds. .Inthepresent i-nstanceeach mold or receptacle l9 isformed from plastic material of suitable .gageor thick- .ness, and in preferred practice the receptacles are .molded under heat .and pressure from..po1 yethylene plastic material with .a wall thickness-of approximately thirty thousandths of .an

inch .and preferably not exceeding thirty=five thousandths of an inch. As illustrated,..each receptacle or mold- 1-9 is.of.;generally rectangular shape formed witha substantially fiat. bottom and upright side walls which taper .orIincline' somewhat upwardly .and outwardlyin .order .to

facilitate removal of the frozencontents. .The

receptacles are of -a sizeanddepth so.as-.to produce cubes or blocks ofdesired .size. "The. upper marginal edge of each receptacle terminatesin -a continuous outwardly extending flange .20 which, if desired, may .be formed as .a..rolled edge.

Each receptacle is formed-at, oppositesides with keyways, grooves or notches 21 extending upwardly from the bottomof the receptacle-and of adepthand wedge. shape to receive the keying lugs or projections l8 and 18a. Thus, .when

the receptacles are placed within the tray frame 9 in the spaces formed by the .ribs I-6 and l! the lugs orprojections 18 and 18a .will' fit into the pairs of recesses or notches 2|. inthereceptacles. These lugs or projections .18 and 18a thusservethe purpose of assistingin restraining longitudinal displacement and tilting of the. re- .ceptacles .withinthetray frame. 'Thebottom portions l5. of the frame intermediate.thegrid :members J6. and 11 provide contacting heat.ex-

change surfaces over .a considerable areaof the bottomsof-the receptaclesJS. .Drain holes ..or

apertures 22 'of .suitable size are 3 preferably =punched-or-pierced in the bottom. of the tray frame 'in the receptacle receiving: spacessouas to -=facilitate -drainage of ater from the: tray frame after the receptacles have been filled by passing the tray frame and its complement of receptacles under a water faucet.

In theembodiment of. the inventionillustrated in Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive the tray frame 23 is generally similar to the frame 9, being rectangular in shape and having continuous upright side and end walls 24 and 25 respectively. These walls around three sides thereof terminate at :their upper edges in a rolled rim 26 extending continuously around three sides of the tray frame and. merging into a, handle 21 at the fourth side thereof.

The :tray frame 23 is formed with a substantially flat bottom r28 which in the present instanceis pressed to provide a central longitudinally extending double walLhol-lovv rib .29 wlfichlis of. aheight materially less than the heightiofthe side anjdend walls of the tray. frame. The bottom28 of thelframe, isv embossed to ,provide a. series of. upwardly extendingcurved .key-

' ing projections "30 ateach side of the .rib .29 and located centrallyi'between the .rib andthe. side walls :24. The bottom of the tray frame -.23 is also pierced toprovidea suitable number of drain holes'3l, and in the present instance valrowof such drain holes -is provided along ,each side of the rib "2'9 and along the base of ,each side wall 'As'in the case of ,the ,drain holes .22 the drain holes 3! in "the .tray frame ,23 serve the purpose of .drainin excesswater .Qutof the tray after. the receptacles have been filled.

In'the present embodiment the side walls .24

of thetray frame '23 are pressed or embossed to provide inwardly extending .keying projections or lugs .32.which maybe wedeeshapedif desired andwhich preferablyextend.Substantially the fullheight of the. side walls. Thekeying projections "32 arejin .allong'itudinal direction stag ered with relationpto the ,projections .33, each oppositepair of projections 32 lying on a transverse line extending centrally between a pair 'of'th'e .bottom projections "36.

"The" tray framef23 .is adapted to. receive either twelve individual receptacles .or .cups generally similar. to the receptaclesoncups l9 ornas illustrated in"Fig.' '6, is adapted; to, receive six. double size receptacles. 33. Each receptacle- ,isformed of plastic material .similarlyto thereceptacle .l9 n i p v ed. with .a. generally. flat. bottom .34 terminating in, uprightlQngitudinaL.side.walls. 35 and endwalls 36. ..'Ifhese .walls inclineupwardly and. outwardly, as 'illustratedinFig. 7,..so .asto

facilitate removalof the frozen contents, and

.pairwofkeying projections 30 .in the bottom of .the tray: frame will fit intothe :ipairpfi: keying recesses 38 inthe bottom of the; receptacle. ;Also,

when the receptacle 33-,is placedinthe tray frame seas -to extend transversely asshown in Fig. 8, a transverse pair of keying projections '30 at opposite sides of the rib, 28-will fit into the pair of .recesses- 38 inthe bottompf the receptacle.

It will be seen, therefore, that. the cooperating keying-projections3n and recesses 38 will function to locate the receptacles 33 withinthetray frame and restrain displacement thereof both longitudinally and transversely.

Each receptacle 33 in the present instance is also molded to provide a transverse upwardly extending shallow groove or channel 39 extending the full width of the receptacle and terminating at opposite ends in upwardly extending relatively shallow grooves or recesses 40 extending inwardly from the side walls of the receptacle and terminating preferably at the'rim 31. Thus, when the receptacles are placed in the tray frame so as to extend longitudinally as shown in Fig. 5,

the keying lugs or projection 32 in the side wallsv of the tray frame will fit into the grooves or re-v cesses 48 in the side walls of the receptacles, hence serving the purpose of assisting in restraining longitudinal displacement of the receptacles. Since the receptacles 33 are of double size it will be observed that the tray frame, constructed as shown in Fig. 4, will receive six of, these receptacles, three being adapted to be received at each side of the rib 29 when the receptacles are positioned as shown in Fig. 5. When thus positioned alternate keying projections 32 will extend into the recesses along corresponding outer sides of the receptacles, and the remaining two projections 32 ateach side of the tray frame will lie between adjacent end walls of the receptacles in abutting relation thereto, this being permitted by virtue of the fact that the side edges of the projections 32 taper or incline upwardly substantially in accordance with the inclination of the end walls of the receptacles. In the event it is desired to utilize in the tray frame 23 recep tacles similar to the receptacle [9, then such receptacles will be positioned between the projections 32 in abutting relation thereto and will be formed with'recesses 38 in the bottoms of the receptacles adapted to receive the keying projections 30. In such instance the projections 32 together with the cooperating projections 38' and recesses 38 in the bottoms of the receptacles will, in conjunction with the rib 29, restrain displacement of the receptacles within the tray frame both transversely and longitudinally. In like manner,

when the double size receptacles 33 are placed in the tray frame as shown in Fig. 5, the receptacles will be restrained against transverse displacement by the rib 29 and side walls of the tray frame, as shown in Fig. '7.

When the receptacles 33 are placed in the tray frame as shown in Fig. 8 so as to extend transversely thereof, the rib 29 in the bottom of the tray frame will extend into the groove or channel 33 which has a depth to receive fully the rib 29 so as to permit the bottom 34 of the receptacle to lie flat upon the bottom of the tray frame. The rib 29, in conjunction with the transverse groove or channel 39 in the receptacle, will re-.

strain displacement of the receptacle in a transverse direction, while the projections 30 received in the recesses 38 in the bottom of the receptacle will serve to restrain displacement of the receptacle both transversely and longitudinally.

I I claim:

1. A liquid freezing tray comprising surrounding side walls and a bottom integral therewith, the bottom being formed with upstanding intersecting ribs providing receptacle receiving spaces therebetween, and said bottom also havingdrain openings, a receptacle, and projecting means on one of the ribs engaging in a recess in the receptacle for restraining displacement of said receptacle.

2. A llquidfreezing tray comprising surrounding side walls and a bottom integral therewith, the bottom being formed with upstanding'intersecting ribs providing receptacle receiving spaces therebetween, a plurality of receptacles, and projectings on one of the ribs engaging in grooves in the receptacles for restraining displacement longitudinally of such rib of said receptacles.

3. A liquid freezing tray comprising surrounding side walls and a bottom integral therewith, the bottom being formed with upstanding intersecting ribs providingreceptacle receiving spaces therebetween, and said bottom also having drain openings, projections on one of the ribs, and a plurality of freezing receptacles in said spaces resting on said bottom and having recesses receiving said projections.

4. A liquid freezing device comprising a supporting frame having abottom formed with an upstanding rib, a receptacle removably supported on said bottom and having a bottom and upright side walls, said receptacle bottom having a centrally disposed channel within which said rib extends to provide an interlocking connection between the receptacle and frame.

5. A liquid freezing device comprising a supporting frame having a bottom formed with an upstandingrib, a receptacle removably supported on said bottom and having a bottom and upright side walls, said receptacle bottom having a centrally disposed channel extending from one side Wall to the opposite side Wall, and said rib projecting into said channel and extending throughout the length thereof.

6. A liquid freezing device comprising a supporting frame havinga bottom formed with an upstanding rib, a, receptacle removably supported on said bottom and having a bottom and upright side walls, said receptacle bottom having a centrally disposed channel extending from one side wall to the opposite side wall, said rib projecting into said channel and extending throughout the length thereof, said rib and channel providing an interlocking connection between the receptacle and supporting frame.

'7. For use with a supporting tray frame constructed and arranged to support a plurality of individual flexible plastic liquid freezing molds and having a bottom provided with an upstanding elongate rib, a flexible plastic individual liquid freezingmold having a bottom provided centrally thereof with a pre-formed channel extending the full width of the bottom and having materially less cross-sectional area than the area of the mold bottom and into which channel said rib is adapted to extend, said mold havingsurrounding upright walls inclined upwardly and outwardly; the rib of said tray frame when the latter is used with a plurality of said molds forming an interlocking connection with the channels of said molds.

JOHN H. ROETHEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Roethel Feb. 28, 1950 

